Mental Health During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Never has there been a more crucial time for our primary care providers to talk openly about finding creative and innovative ways to support the mental health needs of both their patients and themselves. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every area of life. Nothing feels normal. Maintaining one’s mental health while practicing social distancing, online learning, loss of routine and regular social interactions is a challenge.

We have previously covered numerous topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic on Charting Pediatrics. You can go back and listen to those discussions on Season 3, episodes 31, 36, 38, 41 and 42.

Listen to our pediatric experts discuss mental health during the coronavirus pandemic

In this episode, we discuss practical ways primary care providers can protect their own mental health needs and deliver meaningful mental health support to their patients and families during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are fortunate to have Jessica Hawks, MD, a child and adolescent psychologist and Clinical Director of the Outpatient Psychiatry Clinic at Children's Hospital Colorado join us.

In this episode, our experts discuss:

• Unique challenges that the coronavirus pandemic presents to the pediatric population
• Stressors that parents are feeling during the pandemic
• Practical tips for kids and parents for structuring their day
• How to talk to your kids about the coronavirus pandemic
• Reducing the amount of news exposure that kids and teens get
• How to identify patients who are at risk of mental health issues, child maltreatment or abuse during this stressful time
• Mental health resources providers can give to patients
• Ways that parents can operationalize recommendations for specific age groups
• Self-care recommendations for healthcare providers

Treatment of infectious diseases at Children’s Colorado

Our pediatric experts in the Infectious Disease program at Children's Colorado provide a breadth of expertise ranging from laboratory-based research to the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. Pediatricians can treat many infectious diseases, but when unique or different symptoms are present, it’s important to refer to a pediatric specialist. We are prepared and ready to treat patients with suspected or confirmed 2019 novel coronavirus. Our clinical staff has been specially trained on how to identify, isolate and treat patients with this and other contagious illnesses.